We begin today with two compelling stories, both from neighbors to the north. The first comes from Wasilla, Alaska, a town of less than 10,000 whose most famous resident gives it a regular boost of national attention. This time, the news relates to a 14-foot fence, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her new unauthorized biographer who moved in next door.

Palin expressed surprise to see him overlooking her lawn and her
daughter Piper's bedroom.

"Upon my family's
return this morning from endorsement rallies and speeches in the Lower
48 states, I finally got the chance to tackle my garden and lawn this
evening! ... Needless to say, our outdoor adventure ended quickly after
Todd went to introduce himself to the stranger who was peering in..."
she writes.

"Joe announced to Todd that he's moved in right next door to us. He's
rented the place for the next five months or so. He moved up all the
way from Massachusetts to live right next to us - while he writes a book
about me. Knowing of his many other scathing pieces of 'journalism'
(including the bizarre anti-Palin administration oil development pieces
that resulted in my Department of Natural Resources announcing that his
work is the most twisted energy-related yellow journalism they'd ever
encountered), we're sure to have a doozey to look forward to with this
treasure he's penning. Wonder what kind of material he'll gather while
overlooking Piper's bedroom, my little garden, and the family's swimming
hole?"

In a few weeks, visitors to City Hall will be able to get a summer squash with their building permit, a bit of broccoli with their business license and a vine-ripened, heirloom tomato before giving testimony to the City Council.

“I want people to see City Hall differently — that it’s our public land, and that it works for us and with us,” said Sallie Maron, one of about a dozen mud-streaked, rain-soaked volunteers who planted the grounds there with more than 40 vegetable starts on Monday morning.

The kale, cauliflower, strawberries and other crops are free for the taking.

“It’s for people in need or people who just want to try some fresh food,” said Brian MacWhorter, an island farmer who donated many of the organic vegetable starts. “It’s just public food. It’s a great concept.”